The Emerald’s premiere location at Second and Stewart places you in the center of downtown Seattle – just one block from the iconic Pike Place Market, steps from the waterfront and surrounded by the city’s best culinary and cultural destinations. Considered by many “the soul of Seattle,” the Market spans nine historic acres in the center of downtown where everyday locals and tourists alike shop, visit, eat and discover. Whether you visit Pike Place daily or have never been, you are sure to discover something new. Within the Market, you’ll find Post Alley which was created with cobblestones from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake brought here on lumber ships that were using the stones and rubble for ballast. The street was originally named Post Street or Post Avenue for the first U.S. post office in Seattle, opened in 1880 on the corner of Yesler Way, which may also have been the city’s first United States Government building. It also served home to the first offices of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer Newspaper. View Post Alley: Seattle’s most charming street in photos.
Join us as we play tourist in our own back yard. Take a stroll down Post Alley to discover some insider tips and well-known Seattle secrets…
Along the quaint Post Alley at Seattle’s Pike Place Market awaits one of the city’s most beloved restaurant destinations since 1981: The Pink Door. Offering an unpretentious escape from the everyday with a classic, produce-driven menu, a convivial atmosphere fueled by her warm, friendly staff, and entertainment such as trapeze, cabaret, music, and tarot. Whether nestled inside the dining room, relaxing in the lounge or outside on the view deck overlooking Elliot Bay, the mysterious alchemy of The Pink Door’s food, ambience and service create a habit-forming experience.
Some other great sit-down restaurant spots alongside the Alley include: Sushi Kashiba with Chef Kashiba – a three-time James Beard Outstanding Chef Nominee at the helm, Matt’s in the Market which is a local favorite for the Cornmeal Crusted Catfish Sandwich and amazing views, and Radiator Whiskey – the name says it all, but don’t forget to order the Tots and lots of toppings.
Get ready for late-night comedy that’s fun for all ages! Unexpected Productions Improv is Seattle’s oldest, and most successful Improvisational Theater Company. The troupe has called Pike Place Market home since 1991. Their shows are improvised, based on audience suggestions. Unexpected Productions produces year-round shows, teaches improv classes, and hosts the Seattle International Festival of Improvisation.
Sisters European Cafe specializes in European-inspired grilled sandwiches, soups, and salads. Their outdoor seating in Pike Place Market’s Post Alley makes for a truly European vibe. This spot has great soup and salad options for vegetarians. Stop by for breakfast or lunch!
Make a pitstop at Rachel’s Ginger Beer. Partnering with local farmers, this drinkable cheer is made in Seattle using fresh lemons, strong ginger roots, organic cane sugar, and top-quality water. Their simple ingredients are key; brought together and brewed to taste.
Step right up and grab your favorite bowl. These world-famous chowders have been being served in our neighborhood for 20-years! Simmered fresh daily and handcrafted in small batches, Pike Place Chowder named America’s Favorite, is a must try. Famous for the briny, robust flavors of the PNW, with a remarkable variety of soul-satisfying, award-winning chowders, each bursting with the sparkling taste and aroma of premium seafood.
Jasmine Thai Restaurant is your number one source of Thai food at the Market. They’re dedicated to providing the very best of service, with an emphasis on authenticity alongside mouth-watering and freshly prepared ingredients. Try the Masaman Curry freshly made by Pranee the cook for 13+ years!
Craving Persian? Stop by Farvahar Persian Café for a taste of their flavorful dishes including kabobs, stewed meat and rice platters, sandwiches, soups, and salads.
Each morning, Pizza & Pasta Bar prepares their homemade sauces, pizza dough, and meats from scratch. Their food is carefully paired with Washington State wines and they keep two local brews rotating on tap. If you dine with them, you’ll notice that their tables are ornamented by fresh-cut flowers bought directly from farmers in the Market. They obsess over the little details, and that’s what drives their success.
Choose Los Agaves to experience authentic Mexican street food combined with Pacific Northwest ingredients offered by Jaime Mendez and his family who share some Mexico City flavors with us. Try the Chilaquiles for breakfast or the Tamal Oaxaqueno for lunch.
Enjoy the taste of Bolivia and enjoy what has been voted the best patio in Seattle at the Copacabana. Plan a Paella party and sip on some sangria! For over 50-years the restaurant has remained family-owned and operated, where they continue the original informal and friendly atmosphere.
Head down Post Alley toward the Market Theatre sign and get ready to enjoy an incredible atmosphere matched with equally amazing food and drinks. For nearly 40 years, IL Bistro has offered regional Italian cuisine in an intimate fine-dining setting. People flock here for their sophisticated sense of romance, consistently naming the dining room the “most romantic” in Seattle.
The Market Diner is home to the best burgers in the Market and a specialty Seattle cheesesteak made with gorgonzola cheese in a red wine demi-glace. Offering Caesar and spinach salads, alongside a variety of soups, there’s something for everyone!
The Alibi Room is an iconic hip hideaway of the Market. It has long been a favorite bar for Northwest authors, writers, and artists alike. Its speakeasy-style allure with exposed brick and wood beams gives it a cozy, comfortable vibe, and fantastic food and libations make this a staple for Post Alley visitors. The Alibi Room is known for its brick-oven pizzas, salads, and cocktails. Stop by for a delectable meal and refreshing beverage sure to satisfy the hungry tourist or resident alike!
Get your caffeine fix at Ghost Alley Espresso, a pint-sized coffee shop offering artisanal espresso drinks from small, Northwest roasters like Middle Fork Roasters handcrafted on a Slayer Espresso machine with in-house made syrups offered. Psst… The caramel is made with Applewood roasted sea salt and brown sugar! And, this spot sells gum which is convenient for all your selfies at The Gum Wall.
If you’re looking to pick up a few Washington made items, wizard themed gifts, or grocery staples, Post Alley is waiting…
At Made in Washington, you’ll find gifts for yourself and gifts for the people you care about most. Whether you’re set on a charcuterie box, the most Seattle of coffees and teas, or supporting an up-and-coming artist, you’ll find something perfectly and uniquely Washington here.
Harry Potter enthusiast? Alabaster Owl is your destination for wizard home décor and castle-worthy antiques. Just step off the cobblestones of Pike Place Market into this tiny corridor which feels as secretive as Diagon Alley.
Calling all aficionados of Latin foods and Latin cooking, get ready for a wall of hot sauces and South American spices! El Mercado Latino is a family-owned and operated Latin grocery store. Every time you walk into this shop, you’ll discover something new, from their wall of hot sauces to unique spices from South America.
Choice Produce sits on the corner of Post Alley and Pike Place, a family-owned business providing the city with a splash of color and an affordable alternative to the large impersonal supermarkets. The peppers strings that line their stand are a unique reworking of an ancient practice. Bring one into your kitchen at The Emerald as an art piece, it will provide you with years of beauty. The peppers tell a familiar story as they slowly dry and preserve themselves.
And finally, a trip down Post Alley could never be complete without a visit to a hidden work of art dubbed The Gum Wall. This unexpected and colorful display is an intriguing representation of Seattle’s unique charm and character. The Gum Wall started in the 1990s when local patrons and performers at Unexpected Productions stuck their used gum on the wall. Since those days, the wall has grown piece by piece to cover an enormous expanse of brick and continues to expand down Post Alley. By the 2000s, the gum wall reached 50 feet wide and 15 feet in height. Portions of the Gum Wall now reach more than 20 feet in height. The famous Gum Wall is considered to be one of the largest and strangest public art projects in the world. Even as the city planned a clean-up, Seattleites formed a flash-mob to re-install the gum wall. We’re pretty sure that means it’s here to stay!
Stop to strike your own pose! Share your snap in front of the wall and tag us on Instagram @theemeraldseattle. The resulting colors and overall imagery are enough to catch the eye of any passersby. To visit, head down a ramp to the left of Pike Place Market’s iconic “Public Market Center” clock sign. At the bottom of the ramp, veer left into Post Alley and The Gum Wall will appear on both sides.
More than the city’s beloved public market, Pike Place Market is a vibrant neighborhood comprised of hundreds of farmers, craftspeople, small businesses and residents. Make it a Market day and share your stroll down Post Alley, just one block walk from The Emerald.
